Posts Tagged ‘chondroitin’
Are There Alternatives to Glucosamine and Chondroitin Therapy (GCT) for Arthritis?
In Malaysia, an estimated 60% of the population will have some form of arthritis by the age of 60, particularly osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, affects a smaller percentage of our population and can affect all age groups.
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most widespread type of arthritis, is a degenerative disease of the joints. Although sometimes capable of causing acute inflammation, it is most commonly a “wear-and-tear” disease involving degeneration of joint cartilage and formation of bony spurs within various joints.
Most people over 60 years of age have this affliction to some extent requiring them to seek medical care. The main goal of treatment is to relieve pain. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been widely promoted as a treatment for OA.
A cursory survey of any retail pharmacies or multi level marketing (MLM) product catalogues will yield a wide range of glucosamine and chondroitin variants. It accounts for the largest product category amongst all health supplements.
Continue reading Are There Alternatives to Glucosamine and Chondroitin Therapy (GCT) for Arthritis?
Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Arthritis: Benefit is Unlikely
Since our last article, we have been flooded by enquiries (both email and phone) demanding we “retract” that article for casting doubt on the efficacy of glucosamine-chondroitin therapy (GCT) for arthritis.
Let us state categorically, it is undeniable that many OA sufferers have obtained pain relief from GCT. Contrary to the impression we may have given, we are actually strong believers that glucosamine is an effective agent to promote cartilage health. In fact one of the product (ACTIVE) we have in the pipeline (pending MOH approval) is a formulation of hydroxytyrosol and 250mg of glucosamine sulphate.
That said, it is also undeniable that a significant proportion of OA sufferers are not achieving satisfactory results with GCT. Our purpose in sharing the previous article is to answer the question many of you have in your mind: “If GCT is so effective as claimed, why doesn’t it work for me?”.
Our goal is to help those of you who are seeking better solution to alleviate your pain without spending more on GCT if you suspect GCT is not working for you.
So in that light,here is another piece written by a medical doctor on this subject.
Continue reading Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Arthritis: Benefit is Unlikely
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work for You…
In the past week since we reported the story of Mr and Mrs Chan in this article, we received hundreds of emails and phone calls from arthritic sufferers with a common theme of enquiry.
Majority of you were diagnosed RA and OA sufferers and have relied on the prevalent supplementation of glucosamine-chondroitin for pain relief. Your collective experience were that your supplementation regime even at the highest dosage of 1500mg glucosamine and 1200 chondroitin daily provided little or no relieve to your pain. Could OLIVENOL livin serve as an effective replacement for your current treatment, you wanted to know.
Before we answer this question, I wish to draw your attention to 2 recent publications which may shed some light on the efficacy (or lack thereof) of glucosamine-chondroitin therapy (GCT) for arthritis.
Study 1: Daniel O. Clegg, Domenic J. Reda, et.al., “Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, and the Two in Combination for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis“, The New England Journal of Medicine, February 23, 2006, Volume 354:795-808, Number 8.
The link to the publication can be found here http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/8/795
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are used to treat osteoarthritis. The multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and celecoxib-controlled Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) evaluated their efficacy and safety as a treatment for knee pain from osteoarthritis. It involved 1583 patients one of the largest study of this kind.
I quote the conclusion from this study:
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate alone or in combination did not reduce pain effectively in the overall group of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Exploratory analyses suggest that the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may be effective in the subgroup of patients with moderate-to-severe knee pain. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00032890 [ClinicalTrials.gov] .)
Study 2: R.M. Rozendaal, B.W. Koes, et.al., “Effect of Glucosamine Sulfate on Hip Osteoarthritis. A Randomized Trial.” Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb 2008, (volume 148, pages 268-277).
The link to this second study can be found here: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/summary/148/4/268
The second study examined 222 patients with hip arthritis receiving either 1500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or a placebo pill daily for 2 years.
The conclusion made by the examiners, I quote:
Pain, ability to do normal activities, and joint space narrowing did not differ between patients who received glucosamine and those who received placebo.
This article has been cited by other articles:
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B. J. Epstein and J. R. Taylor Osteoarthritis: An Update on Data Currently Reshaping Practice Journal of Pharmacy Practice, February 1, 2009; 22(1): 75 – 85.
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All you need to read in the other general journals BMJ, March 1, 2008; 336(7642): 472 – 473.
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J. W.J. Bijlsma and F. P.J.G. Lafeber Glucosamine Sulfate in Osteoarthritis: The Jury Is Still Out Ann Intern Med, February 19, 2008; 148(4): 315 – 316.
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Why Doesn’t GCT Work For Me?
To understand why GCT does work for everyone, you need to first understand the principle behind GCT. Glucosamine is supposed to be effective to promote regeneration of damaged cartilage in human joints. Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid, according to the Mayo Clinic. Doctors widely prescribe it for patients hoping to slow or prevent cartilage loss.
However, cartilage regeneration can only occur if the patient has sufficient cartilage to promote regeneration. Little of no regeneration will take place for those above 60 years of age, where cell/tissue regeneration is typically retarded due to aging.
Read more: “Glucosamine Doesn’t Work, Study Finds” – http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/glucosamine.html#ixzz0FeZ8RlUk&A
Understanding How OLIVENOL livin’ Works
Unlike GCT, the OLIVENOL livin’ delivers efficacy in a different way. OLIVENOL livin’ is a cost effective class of phenolics that acts as biologic response modifier. Its active ingredient, Hydroxytyrosol, reduces hs-CRP, CRP and acts as a non-toxic agent to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines.
There is a wide body of medical publication of studies and control trials showing evidence that OLIVENOL livin’ is effective treatment for indications associated with RA and OA.
For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
The source of pain in RA patients does not come from damaged tissues such as cartilage. Instead, pain arises from inflammatory attacks at mobile joints such as knees, lower back, neck, shoulders and elbows. GCT is therefore worthless to RA patients. OLIVENOL livin’ on the other hand, is effective to regulate immune system signaling reducing frequency and severity of attacks.
For Osteoarthritis (OA)
For OA patients, the blocking of inflammation episodes is one immediate benefit from OLIVENOL livin. Adding OLIVENOL livin to the regular GCT has been found to promote synergistic bio chemistry in the body that promotes cartilage regeneration.
In 2005, the Arizona State University conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the effects of OLIVENOL™ livin’ on 100 patients aged from 55 to 75 years, suffering from Osteoarthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The trial employed a double blind placebo protocol where patients were not aware of what they were consuming.
The summary findings showed OLIVENOL™ livin made significant improvement in relieving pain, reducing inflammation and improving movement, as reported by both patient and physician. Click to download the full published report from >> HERE <<
When Glucosamine and Chondroitin Does Not Work For You.
As explained, recent large scale studies have cast doubt on the clinical efficacy of GCT for arthritis. If you are one of those who find your arthritic pain does not improve with glucosamine chondroitin supplementation, you now know that your experience is not unique. Thousands of other sufferers continue to suffer pain like you, despite trying the most expensive and “best and unique” formulation of Glucosamine Chondroitin.
Well, when glucosamine and chondroitin does not work for you.. there is always OLIVENOL livin!.
If you are member of any RA / OA support group, share this article with members of your group. One of the easiest way to do it is to share with all your FaceBook friends. To share, all you need to to is to click on the FaceBook sharing link below.
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